88: Chapter 88 The Final Battle Begins—Li Hanyi vs. Sikong Qianluo!

Meanwhile, inside Snow Moon City.

Although the sun was already slanting toward the west, the scorching heat had not diminished its power. Nevertheless, the crowd had long since packed the area around the Jingwu Platform so tightly that not even a drop of water could trickle through.

Even many commoners from the city had rushed over, just to catch a glimpse of this final battle.

The entire square was boiling with voices, exceptionally noisy and bustling.

Baili Dongjun and Wen Bumian were forced to once again dispatch a large number of Disciples to maintain order, even drawing many hands from the Wen family of the Lei Clan.

They knew well that there must be many people with ulterior motives among the crowd, but at this moment, it was truly difficult to distinguish them—there were simply too many people.

Beside Su Rui, the atmosphere between Sikong Qianluo and Li Hanyi was subtle.

This was not just a competition for the number one spot in Snow Moon City, but also a struggle for the position of Senior Sister of the martial arts hall, and more importantly, for the favor of their Master, Su Rui.

Neither was willing to back down easily.

Su Rui's other Disciples stood to the side, watching.

“Teacher, is it really okay? What if they can't hold back once they start fighting?” Yin Luoxia looked at the two of them and asked worriedly.

As she spoke, her warm breath brushed against Su Rui's ear, causing him to involuntarily tilt his head away.

“It's fine.”

Su Rui waved his hand, indicating that she didn't need to worry.

Not far away, the masked Murong Fu gazed at the surging crowds in the stands, complex emotions churning in his heart.

How wonderful would it be if he were the one standing in the center right now?

How much of a boost would such a scene provide for his future plans?

And why would he have been reduced to the point of joining the Demonic Cult?

But at this moment, he was already deeply entrenched; his only option was to fully assist the Demonic Cult in completing this Eastern Crusade, otherwise, there would be no place for him to stand in Northern Li or even the Great Song.

This was something he could not accept no matter what.

Moreover, he had already gathered some information from the elite Disciples of the Demonic Cult—this Eastern Crusade was actually for the sake of just one woman.

This made Murong Fu feel it was ridiculous.

How could a single woman compare to the Supreme throne?

But precisely because of this, he could see the opportunity within.

If he could take this chance to acknowledge that Cult Leader as his foster father, perhaps he could soar to greatness in one leap.

Thinking of this, he became agitated, almost letting out that hair-raising laughter again.

Fortunately, he restrained himself in time, forcibly suppressing the laughter.

Just then, a clear cough resounded throughout the venue.

Sikong Changfeng's figure was light as a feather, drifting onto the Jingwu Platform like the wind.

“This is the final battle of this year's Grand Competition.

Once this battle concludes, in addition to determining the final champion, Snow Moon City has also prepared rewards for the geniuses who entered the top sixteen. Please come forward in person to receive them.”

Sikong Changfeng stood on the stage, his voice clearly spreading throughout the entire venue.

“And the first place of this Grand Competition will also receive the ‘Great Chun Skill’ and the ‘jade dew essence pill’ personally bestowed by the City Lord!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the field immediately erupted in an uproar.

Everyone had naturally heard of the City Lord's name.

It was said that he had long since transcended ordinary men, perhaps even breaking through the Divine Roaming Profound Realm, though he rarely made an appearance.

So, what exactly were this ‘Great Chun Skill’ and ‘jade dew essence pill’?

“The Great Chun Skill was created by the City Lord by integrating a hundred schools of martial arts and combining them with ancient texts left behind by legendary Immortals; it is an extremely profound Cultivation Technique.

If nothing else, as long as one's cultivation is successful, one can return to youth once every thirty years!”

Once this was said, the entire venue instantly boiled over.

Returning to youth once every thirty years? Wouldn't that be equivalent to eternal youth and infinite lifespan?

Could it be that there really is a method for immortality in this world?

Upon hearing this, Li Hanyi's eyes lit up.

She was determined to obtain this technique.

If she wanted to stay by her Teacher's side forever, she had to maintain her best appearance forever.

Light also flickered in the eyes of Mu Liangyue and several other women.

The attraction of such a technique for women was almost irresistible.

Even if they started cultivating now, thirty years later when they were nearly fifty, they could use the power of the technique to maintain their appearance, staying forever at their most beautiful age.

“However, the cultivation conditions for the Great Chun Skill are extremely rigorous, and there is no guarantee that whoever obtains it will be able to Master it.”

Sikong Changfeng added a timely supplement.

But this did not dampen the heat in everyone's hearts; instead, it ignited the desire to compete in even more people.

Su Rui's brow furrowed slightly.

He wasn't afraid of trouble, but did Sikong Changfeng have some other intention by making these words public at this moment?

No matter who won this battle, the reward would ultimately fall into the hands of a Disciple of his martial arts hall.

Now that the greatest secret of the technique had been made public, it would likely attract countless prying eyes.

A tall tree attracts the wind; it was a hassle after all.

His gaze swept over Li Hanyi, Mu Liangyue, and the others; the look of longing on their faces was crystal clear to him.

“What are you getting excited about? The Sacred Heart Art also has age-preserving effects.”

His tone was indifferent, and his single sentence made everyone pause, turning their heads to look at him one after another.

“Teacher, this Great Chun Skill can return one to youth once every thirty years. Wouldn't that mean one could live forever without dying?”

In comparison, although the Sacred Heart Art could extend life by a thousand years, it ultimately could not escape the cycle of life and death.

“...”

How could these Disciples be so naive?

How had he not noticed this before?

“You believe whatever he says? Even an Immortal wouldn't dare claim they are undying!”

Su Rui shook his head with a wry smile but said no more.

The Great Chun Skill was indeed extraordinary, but to say it could grant immortality was clearly an exaggeration.

In this world, true immortality in the absolute sense would never exist.

“As for this jade dew essence pill—”

Sikong Changfeng spoke again.

“It is the key Medicinal Pill to help an Earth Realm expert Breakthrough to the Carefree Heaven Realm; it can greatly increase the success rate of the Breakthrough!”

Another wave of exclamations rose from the crowd.

The number of experts stuck at the Earth Realm was beyond counting.

For some exceptionally talented individuals, breaking through to the Carefree Realm might not be difficult.

But for the majority of people, this threshold was so high it was almost insurmountable.

The Earth Realm was already considered an expert in the Jianghu, but the Carefree Realm was the mark of a true regional overlord.

The gap between the two was like heaven and earth.

Of course, for certain Heaven-Defying geniuses, breaking through from the Earth Realm to the Carefree Realm was no difficult task.

And this was precisely what caused the most dissatisfaction among the crowd.

But the Jianghu had never been a place that prioritized fairness.

Listening to the rising and falling discussions below the stage, the corners of Sikong Changfeng’s mouth curled up slightly.

“Then, the final battle begins now—Li Hanyi vs. Sikong Qianluo!”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure leaped and landed gracefully.

Immediately after, two figures also leaped down from the high platform.

Seeing this, the crowd's discussion regarding the Great Chun Skill and the jade dew essence pill gradually quieted down, and their attention returned to the arena.

Both contestants hailed from that small, obscure martial arts hall.

However, Li Hanyi's previous performance had been too stunning; she had won almost every battle with an overwhelming advantage, and no one had ever been able to last more than a few Moves against her.

At this moment, although the outcome was undecided on the arena, the crowd already had an answer in their hearts.

If it were before today, people would have almost unanimously believed that Li Hanyi had the victory in her grasp.

This could be seen from the odds offered by the city's gambling dens.

But now, the situation had become somewhat unpredictable.

Although Sikong Qianluo was younger, she had also comprehended her own Spear Intent a few days ago.

Especially during her exchange with Ximen Chuixue, she had displayed an almost inexhaustible Internal Energy, shocking the entire audience.

No one could understand how such a petite body could have such a massive reserve of Internal Energy.

Every one of her strikes seemed to pour out her entire Internal Energy.

Such a performance made it hard to believe that her strength was inferior to Li Hanyi's.

Everyone knew that this battle could almost be considered the strongest duel of the younger generation in the Northern Li Jianghu.

Both were in the Zizai Earth Realm, and both had mastered their own unique Concept.

A confrontation of this level was a rare sight in decades.

The audience was rife with discussion, the waves of sound converging into a cacophony.

However, the experts sitting on the main viewing platform, as well as those hidden in the crowd, only shook their heads with wry smiles as they heard the people around them discussing how the two were evenly matched.

The timing of Li Hanyi's Awakening of her Concept was not untraceable.

The battle in front of the Jinyang Martial Arts Hall back then had many witnesses, so everyone knew she hadn't mastered her Concept for very long.

If it were anyone else, they would likely still be slowly familiarizing themselves with and polishing their Concept.

But in Li Hanyi's several previous actions, every one of them was smooth and natural, without the slightest hint of clumsiness.

Clearly, she had already fully mastered her Sword Intent.

Such a growth speed was simply staggering.

In addition to her outstanding talent, many speculated that there must be a Master personally guiding her behind the scenes for her to control her Concept so quickly.

From this point of view, Li Hanyi's chances of winning were clearly higher.

However, the conception of Sikong Qianluo's Spear Intent was extraordinary, and its power was not weak.

It was just that her mastery was too recent, and her refinement was still shallow.

If she could strike while the iron was hot, using the momentum of her previous consecutive victories, she might not be without a chance.

Before the result was revealed, anything was possible.

It was even possible that Li Hanyi might show mercy out of her status as the Senior Sister.

At this time, Ji Ruofeng, the Hall Master of the Hundred Knowledge Hall, stared intently at the two on the stage, reluctant to even blink.

This battle would determine the ownership of the first and second places on the liangyu list.

On the stage, Sikong Qianluo stood with her phoenix blood spear planted on the ground, her gaze tightly locked onto Li Hanyi not far away.

“Senior Sister, if I win, I'll be the Senior Sister. You won't disagree, right?”

Upon hearing this, Li Hanyi shook her head gently.

“Of course not, that's how it should be.

However, you won't have that chance.”

She clearly had absolute confidence in her own strength.

“That's great then. I don't know how strong you are, Senior Sister, so I won't hold back!”

As soon as she finished speaking, she charged out like an arrow leaving the bowstring.

The opening Move was neither the Prairie Fire Hundred Strikes nor the Profound Ice Spear Technique, but a Move taught to her by Sikong Changfeng.

“White Horse Silver Spear Howling in the West Wind!”

Now that her strength had greatly increased, the power of this Move was stronger than before, and the speed of the strike was also faster.

A horizontal sweep seemed like a reverse tornado rushing straight toward Li Hanyi.

Li Hanyi's expression remained unchanged as she drew the hanguang sword; with a single slash, the tornado shattered at the sound.

But just as that Qi dissipated, Sikong Qianluo had already used the momentum to close in.

Immediately after, the Prairie Fire Hundred Strikes was unleashed.

Dense spear shadows, like raindrops, pointed toward Li Hanyi's vital points. She actually used such delicate Moves with a long spear.

Before the audience could even exclamation, they heard a series of “ding ding ding” sounds of clashing metal.

Spear shadows and Sword Qi collided fiercely, erupting in a series of deafening explosions.

Li Hanyi never moved a single step, forcibly taking all of this round of attacks.

A familiar sense of powerlessness once again welled up in her heart. Sikong Qianluo suddenly pulled back, pouting as she looked at Li Hanyi, her face clearly written with dissatisfaction.